Ottmar Mergenthaler & The Linotype

[printsmurf]

This site originally concentrated on the ingenious Linotype mechanical typesetting machine invented by Ottmar Mergenthaler in 1884. If you just want to view Ottmar Mergenthaler, this thread will save you trawling through the other posts made in the 'Postage Stamps', 'Trade cards, Cigarette cards, Labels, etc.' and 'Coins and Medals' threads

This stamp was issued in Berlin on 11 May 1954. This was to commemorate the 100th birthday of Ottmar Mergenthaler.     The accompanying first day cover also depicted his Linotype machine.

[printsmurf]

A couple of additional stamps celebrating the invention of the Linotype.

 






The first stamp was issued by the Republic of Ireland on 21 August 1986 to celebrate the anniversary of the Dublin Council of Trade Unions, founded in 1886.

The second stamp was issued by the United States of America on 22 February 1996 in a series Pioneers of Communication.

[printsmurf]

Linotype from Modern Wonders of the World Educational Pictures (W608-5).



Apologies for images  - taken from a selling site

;

Text on back of card reads:

It is because books are plentiful and cheap that many of us today have knowledge. Most important factor in making cheap books and newspapers possible is the linotype - invented by Ottmar Merganthaler nearly fifty years ago to set type by machine. Today a good linotype operator can set as much type in an hour as can be set by hand in a day. The linotype is operated by a keyboard, like a typewriter. As the keys are struck, brass matrices fall into position forming a line. Molten type metal, forced into contact with these brass moulds, hardens into a line of type corresponding with the letters on the keys struck. Line after line is thus rapidly cast until all the copy is set.

[printsmurf]

FINE FARE TEA 1965 "INVENTIONS & DISCOVERIES"       Number 36 of 50 was Ottmar Mergenthaler and his Linotype
There were two series, each of twenty-five cards

[printsmurf]

Grolier Story of America Cards. Grolier Story of America cards were released in decks of 20 cards from 1994 to 2001.  This was a subscription card set, which meant you had to remit payment to the company each month to continue your collection.  The cards were never available as a retail set, only as a subscription during their original print run. Issued in decks of 20 cards on a monthly subscription basis. There were 126 decks issued for a total of 2,520 cards.
Number 34.17 features Ottmar Mergenthaler     Dated 1996





Another card, this one from Panarizon Publishing and dated from 1979

[printsmurf]

Bronze medal from 1930           Ottmar Mergenthaler

[printsmurf]

Postcard from the Exposition du Livre showing the Linotype Concession stand - dated (from the stamp) 1907
On the back is a message arranging to meet on the Sunday morning. The recipient, a Mr. Reilly is a sieve manufacturer.

[printsmurf]

On a humourous note.................postcard from Chocolat Martougin, Belgium.     Year unknown
Wording on front of card in two languages
French: An unexpected linotypist
Dutch: a peculiar setter






1 person likes this.

[printsmurf]

Scientific Inventions and Discoveries - Cigarette Card by R & J Hill dating from 1929   Number 21 was Mergenthaler.




Also issued in the smaller size in colour




Black and white

[printsmurf]

Card from Rothmans 'Modern Inventions' series from 1935

Number 6 - Linotype Machine

[printsmurf]

Linotype Model 9    American Badge Co. Chicago 1986.
   
A promotional piece for the Mergenthaler Linotype Co. The reverse side reads: "Linotype, the machine that lasts."

[printsmurf]

Issued on 14 September 1998 to celebrate 80 years of 'El Pais' newspaper           (Uruguay)
The souvenir sheet has a line drawing of a Linotype or Intertype so is quite unusual

[printsmurf]

Issued on 8 August 2013 in a series 'Building a Nation' - Linotype operator            (U.S.A.)

[printsmurf]

The very first post in this thread featured an Ottmar Merganthaler stamp and First Day Cover. I have found two more First Day Covers





Postcard postmarked on day of issue

[/url]



Two envelopes with linotype machines printed on them....from 1906 and 1908

[printsmurf]

Posted by Dave Hughes in the linotype chat pages:

Whilst browsing on eBay I came across this first day cover, featuring a poem about the invention of the Linotype and a stylised illustration of the machine by JP Hall: